Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Sciences

This study showed that paracetamol administration to male rats at 1 g /kg of body weight for 21 days resulted in significant
increase in activities of serum alanine amino transferase and aspartate amino transferase. There was an increase in the total
bilirubin and creatinine levels. Paracetamol caused hepatic damage in appearance characterized with degeneration, necrosis
and fatty changes in liver, as well as central vein congestion. Treatment of the damaged liver rats with 25, 50, 100, 200 mg/kg
of body weight with aqueous extract of Capparis spinosa for 7, 14, 21 days led to a decrease in alanine amino transferase,
aspartate amino transferase activity, total bilirubin and creatinine levels, as well as an improve in the damaged liver tissues
with increasing extract concentration. The results showed that treatment of the damaged liver rats with 100, 200 mg/kg of body
weight of aqueous extract of Capparis spinosa for 14, 21 days gave protection against harmful effects of paracetamol.The
protective effects of this extract determined by the rebound of the enzymes and biochemical variable levels to the pretreatment
levels. High doses of this extract gave a decrease in harmful effects which resulted from the paracetamol in hepatic tissues.

The aim of the present work was to evaluate serum glucose concentration and lipid profile in racing horses in Iraq. Blood
samples were collected from the jugular vein of 92 clinically healthy racing horses (males and females, Arabian and Cross
bred), 2-8 years old at Equestrian Club, Baghdad. Investigations included serum measurements of glucose (sg) and lipid profile
parameters; total cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein- cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoproteincholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C) and the atherogenic ratio (LDL-C/HDL-C), in order
to register the normal ranges and mean values of these measured parameters in Iraqi healthy racing horses. Results showed that
the range and mean values ± standard error of sg were: 33.3 – 6.71 mmol/l and 5.17±0.07 mmol/l, respectively, whereas the
TC was 2.07 – 4.22 mmol/l and 3.01±0.05 mmol/l, TG 0.6 – 1.47 mmol/l and 1.06±0.02 mmol/l, HDL-C 0.93 – 2.25 mmol/l
and 1.50±0.03 mmol/l, LDL-C 0.10 – 2.12 mmol/l and 0.91±0.04 mmol/l, VLDL-C 0.31 -0.67 mmol/l and 0.55±0.02 mmol/l,
respectively and the atherogenic ratio 0.66±0.03. The data present reference values and mean ± SE for sg and lipid profile
parameters in healthy racing horses in Baghdad.

This study was conducted for the determination of the combined effect of aflatoxin and Toxoplasma gondii on
malondialdehyde, glutathione levels, and stress index in sixty young inbred Swiss female albino mice BALB/C, which were
randomly divided into six equal groups; Group 1(untreated control) animals were maintained without any treatment; group 2
were injected intraperitonealy with T. gondii tissue cysts; groups 3 and 4 were fed diets contaminated with 0.5 and 1 ppm
aflatoxin respectively; group 5 and 6 were fed 0.5 and 1 ppm aflatoxin and injected with T. gondii tissue cysts. All animals
were maintained for 40 days. One ml, containing 100 Toxoplasma gondii tissue cysts was obtained from brain tissue of
naturally infected local breed rabbit was injected intraperitonealy. Aflatoxins (AFs) were prepared through inoculation of rice
with Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999 and were incorporated into the diet to provide the described level of 0.5 and 1 ppm.
At the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken to determine Heterophils/lymphopcytes ratio (H/L), while brain was
taken to determine glutathione and malondialdehyde concentration. Results showed that mice injected with T. gondii tissue
cysts alone and those groups fed aflatoxin at both rates of 0.5 and 1 ppm were exhibited a significant (P<0.05) increase in H/L
ratio, and malondialdehyde, while there is a significant (P<0.05) reduction on the level of glutathione. The results revealed that
aflatoxin could exacerbate T. gondii infection and induce stress through suppression of glutathione and elevation of
malondialdehyde concentration and H/L ratio

A total of 90 milk samples were collected from cows with clinical and subclinical mastitis from different areas in Mosul
city, in a period from October 2009 to June 2010, for the detection of gram negative bacteriological causative agents. The
bacteria were identified using morphological, cultural and biochemical characteristics. thirty tow (35.3%) gram negative
bacterial isolates were obtained from the total count which included 14 isolates (15.5%) for Escherichia coli, 7 isolates (7.7%)
for Klebsiella spp, 4 isolates (4.4%) for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 3 isolates (3.3%) for Enterobacter aerogenes ,2 isolates for
Serratia marcescens and one isolates (1.1%) for each of Aeromonas hydrophila and Pasteurella multocida. Results of
antibiotic sensitivity test indicated that most of these isolates were sensitive to Ciprofloxacin following by Gentamycin and
Cotrimoxazole, while most of these organisms were resistant to Ampicillin, the isolates showed different percentages of
sensitivity to Doxycycline, Tetracycline, Neomycin and Chloramphenicol.

This study was conducted to examine field cases of mycotoxicosis (A flatoxicosis and ochratoxicosis) and their effects on
calcium during the preproduction period of 1SA brown pullets. Birds were 12-15 weeks of age. The feed was subjected to
analysis for mycotoxin and blood samples were laboratory diagnosed for infectious bronchitis and infectious bursal viruses
antibody titer and for determination calcium level. Clinical signs of affected birds were rubbery bone, ruffled feather, paleness
and high mortality. Necropsy findings of sick birds were characterized by muscle dehydration, enlarged livers yellowished,
kidney enlargement and urate deposition. Histopathological features of liver consisted of capsular thickening hepatocellular
necrosis, subcapsular infiltration with inflammatory kidneys cells showed swelling of tubular cells, deposition of calcium
between kidney tubules with infiltration of inflammatory cells. ELISA test revealed the presence of 800 ppb aflatoxin and 100
ppb ochratoxin. Normal titers of infectious bronchitis virus and infectious bursal diseases antibodies were recorded. Low blood
calcium level of 8.2 mg/dl was registered in the tested blood samples.

The aim of this study was to examine the changes in the indicators of free radicals and antioxidant activity, represented by
malondialdehyde and glutathione peroxidase in the sera of ewes vaccinated with Rev 1 vaccine. The experiment included 28
animals which were divided into four equal groups. Animals of the first and second groups were vaccinated subcutaneously
with 2×109
and 2×107
colony forming units (CFU), respectively, whereas the animals of third and fourth groups were
vaccinated conjunctively with 2×109
and 2×107
CFU, respectively. Sera were collected monthly for 6 months. Antibody
responses were assessed by classical tests (Rose Bengal test, tube agglutination and 2-mercaptoethanol tests) in comparison
with competitive ELISA. The antibody titers were higher and remained for along period in the subcutaneously vaccinated
groups with the two doses compared those vaccinated conjunctively. There was a significant increase in serum glutathione
peroxidase activity in the 8th week post vaccination in subcutaneously vaccinated groups and during the 12th week in those
vaccinated conjunctively. Significant increase of serum malondialdehyde levels occurred during the 4th week in those
vaccinated conjunctively and in 8th week in those vaccinated subcutaneously. This study concluded that the route of
administration of the vaccine affects glutathione peroxidase activity and malondialdehyde level, which act as indicators of
oxidative stress response, more than the vaccine dose.

This study include the examination of 235 fecal samples 125 from domesticated ducks and 110 from domesticated geese
from different localities in Nenevah governorate through the period from September 2009 to March, 2010 the Samples were
stained by iodine stain and Giemsa stain and flotation method. The total percent of infection with Giardia cyst was 34.4%,
36.4% in duck and geese respectively. The study revealed presence of Giardia in diarrhetic and non diarrhetic fecal sample of
ducks and geese. Higher rate was in diarrhetic ducks and geese of age less than 5 months 41.8%, 44.4% and this rate decreased
with aging. The results showed the higher infection rate in rural area which was 38.5% in duck and 40.7% in geese compared
to urban area 30%, 31.4% in ducks and geese respectively. Higher rate was recorded in December in ducks were 53.5% while
the higher infection in March in geese were 44.4% and lowest rate of infection in September for both ducks and geese, this is
the first study of Giardia spp, in ducks and geese in Nineveh governorate.

A study on the occurrence and seasonal incidence of hydatid cysts of sheep, goats and cattle was carried out during 2008
and 2009 by weekly regular visits to Mosul abattoir and other areas i.e. outside abattoir. All slaughtered livestock were of local
breed, of both sexes, originated from various areas of Mosul and were of different ages having non descriptive features. Visual
inspection and palpation of the lesions were followed in this study. Of 4800 sheep, 960 goats and 720 cattle were examined, 96
sheep, five goats and four cattle were found to harbour the cysts representing infection rate of 2%, 0.52% and 0.55%,
respectively. The lowest seasonal incidence was observed in winter for sheep (3.16%) and goats (1.25%). The lowest level of
incidence was 0.16% for sheep and 0% for goats was noticed in summer. However, in cattle no infection was taken place in
winter and autumn but 1.11% infection rate was equally seen in summer and spring. The preponderant site of cyst was the liver
in sheep (46.8%) and goats (40%). In cattle the commonest location of the cyst was the lung (50%) followed by mixed site of
liver and lung (25%) and liver (25%). The results indicated that only fertile cysts were present in the sheep representing
83.33% of fertility percentage. The number of cysts in the infected organs ranged between 1-16, 1-6 and 1- 10 for sheep, goats
and cattle, respectively. It can be concluded that only sheep play a major role in dissemination of hydatidosis. However, being
anthrozoonotic, potential risk may be increased due to incorrect disposal of infected offal with unhygienic slaughter protocols.

The study was conducted on 10 herds included 811 local fedlot calves (1 to 2 years old) in Goggeli region, 86 calves were
affected with gastrointestinal parasites. Total infestation rate was (60.99%). The study showed that Calves were infested with
various species of nematodes and cestodes representing,The highest ratio of infestation was with Ostertagia spp (61.62%), and
the lowest with Monezia expansa (2.32%). Affected calves exhibited weakness, pale mucous membranes, loss of appetite,
diarrhea, easily detached and lusterless hair. Results revealed that single infestation was (17.5%), whereas mixed infestation
was (82.5%). Results of blood picture indicated significant increase in total erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration,
packed cell volume, and significant decrease in total leukocyte count, at days 7, 14, 21 post treatment calves with Albendazole
and (levamisole hydrochloride 3% and oxyclozanide 6%) compared with control group. Levamisole hydrochloride 3% and
oxyclozanide 6% was more efficient against gastrointestinal parasites when compared with albendazole.

This report describes a case of uterine rupture in a cow with alive twins, and its treatment.

The present study was conducted to study the relationship between breeding season of Arabian mares at first estrous after
foaling and pregnancy rate. Thirty six mares were divided in to two groups according to foaling heat in breeding season,
transitional periods. Animals included in this study were maintained with the same management and conditions in the special
breeding stables. This study was performed in a farm located in Nineveh province during the period from June 2008 to June
2010. The mares were observed for the first estrous after foaling and the duration between foaling and first estrous after foaling
(foaling heat) in breeding season or transitional period and the estrous signs were recorded by exposing the mares to a teasers
stallion. The results of this study showed that the foaling heat in the first group was 8-9 days in 26 mares in breeding season
observe first estrous while the pregnancy rate in 8 mares was 30.76%. However, results the second group of the first estrous
sign after foaling was 8-10 days in the 10 mares observe the first estrous in, transitional period without pregnancy. It could be
concluded that the detected foaling heat duration 8-10 days after normal foaling in breeding season and natural mating in spite
of decreased pregnancy rate at foaling heat.

Ninety cases of clinically diagnosed enterotoxemia infection in lambs at AL-Hamdaniya region where studied for isolation
of aerobic and anaerobic bacterial causes, faecal samples were collected from all suspected cases during January- June 2008,
the results show that 41.6% of the isolates were Cl. perfringens as pure single isolates, while mixed infection of Cl.
perfringens with each of Enterococci and staphylococcus in percentage of 26.04%, 20.83% respectively, also mixed infection
of Cl. septicum with each of Staphylococcus and E.coli were isolated at the percentage of 5.2%, 6.25% respectively. Highest
bacterial isolation was from the faecal samples collected during April. McIntosh jar method show isolation of pure culture of
anaerobic bacteria (Cl. perfringens), while Candle jar method show detection of 56 isolates in mixed cultures of aerobic and
anaerobic bacteria.

The aim of the present study was to evaluated the effect of treated female lactating rats with enrofloxacin alone and its
interaction with albendazole on the occurrence of developmental and neurobehavioral toxicity in suckling pups by using
percentage of survival of pups to weaning as well as neurobehavioral test (surface righting reflex). The exposure of suckling
pups to enrofloxacin alone through the milk caused sever toxic effects manifested by significant decrease in percentage of
survival in pups to weaning to (0%) as result from death all pups from dams were treated with enrofloxacin at high dose (480
mg/kg, i.m.) during the first 5 days of lactation. Whereas, treated lactating female rats with albendazole at (300 mg/kg, orally),
1 hour before enrofloxacin (480 mg/kg, i.m.) during the first 5 days of lactation protected suckling pups from developmental
toxic effects of enrofloxacin which mainly appeared as a significant increase in percentage of survival of pups to 100% as
result from survival all suckling pups to weaning, accompanied by preventing the neurobehavioral toxicity of enrofloxacin in
suckling pups manifested by highly significant decreased response time to surface righting reflex to (2.64 ± 0.57) minuets in
the postnatal day 3 in compared with pups from dams that treated with enrofloxacin alone which reached to (15.82 ± 0.27)
minuets. In conclusion, our results suggest that pretreatment of female lactating rats with albendazole protecte suckling pups
from developme-ntal and neurobehavioral toxicity of enrofloxacin.

The experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of hyperglycaemia on the trypanocidal efficacy of diminazene
aceturate. Groups of alloxan-induced diabetic rats infected with T. brucei and T. congolense were treated with diminazene
aceturate, and trypanocidal effects compared with normal non-diabetic controls. Results showed that the prepatent period was
shorter in the diabetic (11.25±1.65 days) than non-diabetic-T. congolense (15.0±1.73 days), and also variations in responses to
the trypanocidal therapy between the diabetic and non-diabetic groups were detected. Parasite clearance time did not differ
significantly between the diabetic and non-diabetic (43.2±8.89 versus 52.8±8.89 hours in T. brucei and 33.6±5.9 versus
36.0±6.93 hours in T. congolense, respectively). The relapse intervals were shorter in the diabetic than non-diabetic (16 days
versus 23 days in T. brucei, and 7 days versus 14 days in T. congolense, respectively). Proportion of relapses was greater in the
diabetic- (100%) than non-diabetic-T. congolense (66.7%). We also find parasite species-related differences in susceptibility to
the trypanocide, with a higher apparent cure rate in the T. brucei than T. congolense group. We conclude from the results of
this study that the chemotherapeutic effectiveness of diminazene aceturate may be diminished in patients with diabetes
mellitus. Further study is needed to validate this hypothesis.

Thirty five samples were collected from seven types of milk powder in Mosul city markets, and surveyed for the presence
of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), by using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique. Analytical results showed that
82.8% of the samples were contaminated with AFM1. The incidence of AFM1 in Al-mudhish, Angolac, Dielac, Lona, Nido,
Melgro and Multi samples were 40, 50, 80, 100, 100, 100 and 100%, respectively. The occurrence of AFM1 in milk powder,
79.3% (23 out of 29) of positive samples were higher than the permissible limits, according to the European Commission (50
ng/kg), whereas 6.8% (2 out of 29) of positive samples were above the prescribed limit of US regulation (500 ng/kg). The level
of AFM1 concentration in Melgro and Multi types was higher than Al-mudhish type and it had a low level of contamination,
compared with other types of milk powder.

The current study revealed the presence of oocysts of Cryptosporidium in the fluid and tissue of gall bladder of sheep
which is slaughtered in Mosul city by using different diagnostic techniques, including direct smear method, staining method by
modified Zeil-Nelseen stain, scraping of mucosal layer of gall bladder and histological examination, the percentage of
infection 20% and there were significant differences in the percentages of infection between gall bladder 20% and fecal
samples 41%. The histological study showed that the oocyst of Cryptosporidium was attached on the surface of the epithelial
cells of gall bladder. The high percentage of infection appeared in ewes was 30% and there was no significant differences in
the infection of gall bladder between rams and ewes.

From meat retails in Mosul province, forty-five meat samples of local ovine and bovine (23 bovine samples and 22 ovine
samples) were collected. The period of collection was during November 2010 to May 2011, by means of multistage random
sampling for detection of streptomycin residues. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for detection of
streptomycin residues. The results revealed that eleven ovine meat samples (50%) were positive to streptomycin residue, with
a mean value 35.06 µg kg-1, while 14 bovine meat samples (60.86%) were positive to residual streptomycin with a mean value
59.56 µg kg-1. From the results, it is clear that all tested meat samples (ovine and bovine) were safe enough for human
consumption.

The study was conducted to diagnose and study species of Eimeria in sheep in Mosul city from beginning of September
2009 to end May 2010, as well as to determine the percentage and intensity of infection of Eimeria species. Five hundred
fecal samples of sheep with different ages were collected from different areas of the Mosul city. The results showed that total
percentage of Emeria infection was 63.6%. The variations in percentage of infection were recorded according to month of
study. Highest percentage was recorded in March being 89.2% and the lowest in September 25.9%. The species E. ovina
recorded the highest infection rate 86.7%, while the species E. granulosa represented lowest infection rate 10%. Moreover the
intensity of infection was higher in young ages and lower in adult. The results were detected that indoor sheep infection with
high parasitic infection 69.9% whereas outdoor animals have an infection rate 25.3%. The morphological characters of oocysts
were varied according to species of Eimeria has been studied. Fifty of intestinal and abomasal samples from both slaughtered
in shops butchery in Mosul city and dead animals were examined to detect Eimeria infection, and results show that infection
percentage was 56.4% in intestine of slaughtered animals and 36.3% in dead animal. Moreover no infection of Eimeria were
detected in abomasums in both slaughtered and dead animals. The oocysts of (E. parva, E.pallida and E. ovinoidalis) detected
at more than 5000 oocysts per gram of intestinal contents. The intestinal secraping stained with Giemsa stain reveals the
presence of different developmental stages of parasites in wall of intestine. The histopathological sections of intestine revealed
the different pathological changes concerning of Eimeria infection.

The present study was performed on three hundred raw milk samples, 100 each from cows, sheep and buffaloes were
collected from different places of Basrah city. 7.3 % of the samples were found to be positive for Listeria spp. Cow's milk was
found to be more infected than other animals milk with this bacteria. All bacterial isolates were confirmed as L. monocytogens
by colony characteristics, beta haemolysis, cold enrichment procedure, selective media, Anton test, tumbling and inverted pine
tree motility and sugar fermentation tests. Most isolates were found to be sensitive to cefotaxine, sulfamethoxazol,
chloramphenical and tobramycin. rifampicin was found to have less effect on these isolates. Effects of pH and temperature on
bacterial growth were also studied to test the ability of this microorganism to survive in milk under severe conditions. The pH
range for growth was from 4 to 9.5. The temperature range was between 4 – 45 ºC.